Given eurozone inflation and changes in the exchange rate (taking the change in sterling to USD to reflect a global price outlook) one might expect a release price increase for the '16s of around 15% over the 2011s.

First indications however are suggesting that release prices are being hiked by a whopping 35%

This is very disappointing - I will need to be extremely impressed to buy at that level..

I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill

Given eurozone inflation and changes in the exchange rate (taking the change in sterling to USD to reflect a global price outlook) one might expect a release price increase for the '16s of around 15% over the 2011s.

First indications however are suggesting that release prices are being hiked by a whopping 35%

This is very disappointing - I will need to be extremely impressed to buy at that level..

I suspect the tiny quantities are playing a part in the pricing. Launching a full declaration is an expensive business with a large fixed cost that needs to be split across fewer cases.

Even so, try buying a 1st Growth claret on release for <£50 a bottle in bond

Launching a full declaration is an expensive business with a large fixed cost that needs to be split across fewer cases.

It's flawed logic - trying to charge more for less diminishes profit. With wine, the relationship between market interest and price is closer to logarithmic than linear - a much higher declaration volume at a reduced price would be easier to sell and yield a greater return.

The '11s already have a reputation for being a 'once in a generation' vintage, yet the secondary market prices are only level pegging with the release prices. I can't see the market buying the idea that another vintage of the same calibre has appeared, whatever the reviews, especially as some producers also declared '15 and there's already a buzz about '17

2016 is going to struggle to stand tall..

I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill

Given eurozone inflation and changes in the exchange rate (taking the change in sterling to USD to reflect a global price outlook) one might expect a release price increase for the '16s of around 15% over the 2011s.

First indications however are suggesting that release prices are being hiked by a whopping 35%

This is very disappointing - I will need to be extremely impressed to buy at that level..

I suspect the tiny quantities are playing a part in the pricing. Launching a full declaration is an expensive business with a large fixed cost that needs to be split across fewer cases.

Even so, try buying a 1st Growth claret on release for <£50 a bottle in bond

I can't speak for UK pricing, but in general for the USA prices are up around 15-20%. That's not a lot when you consider, by and large, they haven't raised prices since the 2003 declaration. That's a long time without a price hike. As much as we'd all like to pay prices from 20 years ago that just isn't going to happen.

We are pleased to announce the Declaration of
CHURCHILL’S 2016 VINTAGE PORT.

“Natural acidity in a young Vintage Port is the key to longevity. Our decision to declare Churchill’s 2016 Vintage Port has been based on the purity, ripeness and intensity of its fruit flavours, but especially on its excellent natural acidity”.

John Graham – Founder and wine maker.

The climatic conditions in 2016 in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior regions were unusual but ultimately beneficial. After a wet winter and an unusually wet and cold Spring, there followed the usual hot Douro Summer culminating in an August heatwave. The heavy rainfall in the late Spring helped to top up the water table providing the vines with the necessary hydric reserves to support a long, hot and dry Summer.

By early September our grape maturation tests showed that both sugar and phenolic maturations were well advanced. All that was needed was dry and cooler weather for the vintage. By 7th September these conditions were met and we started picking on 10th September taking it slowly and carefully selecting and prioritizing the grapes which had reached maturity. Our final lagar was filled on 8th October.

Despite the rainfall earlier in the year, the extreme heat of the Douro Summer had concentrated the juice in the grapes and the yields were low. The resulting wines show an intensity and purity of fruit combined with a vein of fresh natural acidity which gives them elegance and longevity.

We shall be making a Special Opening Offer for Churchill’s 2016 Vintage Port during the coming month.
Sign Up for Churchill's 2016 Vintage Offer

They are offering their own blend of a Symington port under their 'Exhibition' label. which they imply is different from other Symington wines. They also offer Quinta do Vale D. Maria, and Quinta de Roriz.

Krohn have declared the 2016 vintage – announced on St George’s Day (23rd April ’18) as is customary. The last classic vintage released was the 2011.

Head Winemaker David Guimaraens summarised the ’16 vintage:

“Two factors stand out in 2016. Heavy rainfall in spring meant that the vines had plenty of water throughout the summer. Secondly, the ripening season started relatively late and lasted well into September. This led to very gradual and even ripening of the crop with all elements in perfect balance at the time of the harvest. Picking started later than usual on all our estates….

…Harvesting conditions at the end of September and early October were perfect, with cool nights contributing to long fermentations and gentle, complete extraction. As a result the wines are solidly structured with firm, well integrated tannins and display very fine fruit quality.”

Krohn’s Managing Director, Adrian Bridge, said: “The keynotes of 2016 are purity and refinement. The Vintage Port displays elegance and poise, a wonderful purity of fruit and tannins of great quality… The 2016s are likely to become rarities in future, particularly given the trend towards enjoying Vintage Ports young.”

To be accurate, most VP's don't come from just one Quinta. Even "SQVP's", by law, can have a small amount from other Quinta's and still be called a SQVP.

Are there rules for SQVP? I thought that SQVP is not at all regulated by the law nor IVDP? Legally it is a Vintage Port, everything else is just marketing.

There are regulations for them. Like everything in the Douro the regulations are far more complex than what is often told to the general public. I assume for ease of explanation and for the fact that some people can’t handle things not being black or white.